Ontario Breaks Ground on New Emergency Department in Midland

Ontario is marking the official ground-breaking of the next phase of emergency department renovations at the Georgian Bay General Hospital, which will reduce wait times, improve access to care and meet the growing needs of patients and families in the Midland area.

Ann Hoggarth, MPP for Barrie, on behalf of Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, joined staff at Georgian Bay General Hospital today to make the announcement.

When all phases are complete, the expanded emergency department will include 12,000 square feet of new space, and accommodate:

- A triage/registration area to improve the flow of patients through the unit.

- A resuscitation room for dealing with immediate life-threatening illnesses and injuries.

- An acute examination zone with exam and treatment rooms.

- Medication and decontamination rooms.

- Space for administrative and support functions, as well as room for the Emergency Medical Service staff.

The upgrades also include a four-bay ambulance garage and roof reinforcements to the existing hospital boiler plant, which supports the operations of the hospital’s emergency services.

Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province’s history. To learn more about what’s happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Increasing access to health care close to home by upgrading and expanding hospitals is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

QUOTES

“The Ontario government is committed to ensuring that community hospitals receive the support they need to improve their facilities and delivery of patient care. Through this investment, we are helping to strengthen the quality of health care for patients in the Midland area by updating building infrastructure and reducing emergency department wait times.”

— Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

I am very pleased to return to the Georgian Bay Hospital and celebrate the continued investment and construction of critical infrastructure upgrades to this very important building. This construction, and the ability to do it while keeping the Emergency Department open at the same time, ensures that this region continues to receive the very best in health care.

— Ann Hoggarth, MPP, Barrie

“The LHIN wants to thank the Ministry for their commitment to health care in North Simcoe Muskoka. This investment in the emergency department of GBGH will enhance local care and services for the residents of North Simcoe.”

"We are thrilled to be starting the final phases of our emergency department project. It has been a long time in the making. We are also very pleased with the level of commitment from the government to make this happen."

— Karen McGrath, President & CEO Georgian Bay General Hospital

QUICK FACTS

Ontario is investing up to $8.6 million toward Phases 2 and 3 of the emergency department redevelopment at Georgian Bay General Hospital’s (GBGH) Midland site.

The hospital will contribute the remaining $1.1 million for a total cost estimated at $9.7 million.

When all phases are complete, the hospital will have 20,000 square feet of new and renovated space.

The first phase of the hospital’s emergency department expansion was completed in June 2014.

In 2016, Ontario is investing an additional $140 million in public hospitals across the province to ensure that they continue to meet the growing needs of their local communities. This new funding builds on an increase of more than $345 million for Ontario’s hospitals.

GBGH’s total operational funding to date for 2016-17 is $43.5 million.

Of the $140 million additional, in-year investment in 2016-17 for the hospital sector, GBGH is receiving $0.96 million in additional base funding to address capacity and access challenges related to high population growth as well as to improve access to care.